our vision
To develop a viable and sustainable mariculture industry producing shellfish and seaweed for the long-term benefit of Alaska’s economy, environment, and communities.
The Growing Mariculture Industry
The Kenai Peninsula Coastline is essential to the region’s economic infrastructure. Kachemak Bay opens up to the waters of the Gulf of Alaska, and Prince William Sound borders the borough on the south and east. The Cook Inlet divides the borough into two land masses. These waters are ideal for the burgeoning mariculture industry and its development.
On the peninsula’s eastern side, Seward is home to the Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute, operated by the Chugach Regional Resources Commission. APMI produces shellfish and kelp seed for aquatic farmers, enhances local beaches with four types of clams, conducts research on many other marine species, and operates a harmful algae bloom detection lab and ocean acidification research lab. The UAF College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences Seward Marine Center, collocated with the Alaska SeaLife Center and the Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery, is part of a center for marine research in Alaska with their research vessels, the R/V Sikuliaq and R/V Nanuq both homeport in Seward. The center enables research in the fields of fisheries, marine biology, oceanography, ocean acidification, and marine technology.
Ocean-based research on the Kenai Peninsula attracts researchers and funding worldwide. Research spending generates local economic activity, supporting local businesses, and the research performed benefits local communities.
Mariculture is the practice of farming, restoring, and enhancing shellfish and seaweed in Alaska. This includes oysters, clams, mussels, geoduck, crab, sea cucumber, and kelp. On the Peninsula, Seward is an essential marine research and technology center.
Regional Resources
Industry Reports
KPEDD is an active partner of the Alaska Mariculture Cluster. The cluster includes members of three other Economic Development Districts (SEC as the lead, PWSEDD, SWAMC), Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, SeaGrant, Aleut Corporation, Central Council of Tlingit and Haida, Chugach Alaska Corporation, Alutiiq Pride Chugach Regional Resources Commission, Koniag, Tongass Federal Credit Union, UAA, Spruce Root Community Development, Alaska Shellfish Growers Association, SeaCoast Trust, Alaska Mariculture Alliance and Sea Alaska, Grantham Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, a support the emerging mariculture industry through collaborative efforts to enhance, fortify and bolster all facets of the mariculture industry for Alaska’s vast coastal communities.
5 Key Members
